Gabon starts looking for a new coach while his contract with Cousin comes to an end

Gabonese Sports Minister Alain Bilie By-Nze has asked the country's football federation (Fegafoot) to find a new coach of the national team.

This means that the current coach 's contract, Daniel Cousin, has ended after failing to lead the team to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The only 42-year-old officially signed a contract earlier in March, although he was confirmed as a coach in September.

Saturday's 1-1 draw in Burundi put an end to Gabon's quest to qualify for Egypt.

His contract lasted 10 months and was to end soon after the final round of the Nations Cup in July. However, the agreement included a clause if Gabon did not qualify.

"In case of non-qualification of the national team at CAN 2019, the contract can be broken by mutual agreement of both parties," says the contract.

By-Nze, whose ministry is responsible for funding the national team, wants this clause to be enforced.

"We entrusted Fegafoot with the mission to end the contract of the current coach." he said.

"The position is now open to Gabonese or foreign coaches and a new coach will be appointed within 30 to 60 days."

He then added that he wanted to create a "winning momentum" for the team.

His speech also included his plans for the future.

"We are going to rebuild the national team on a new basis, dismissing all those who have shown a lack of willpower, a lack of patriotism and who have put forward financial gains while forgetting the spirit of the nation and the team, "he said. players.

"We are going to re-examine the player compensation policy, the goal is not only to reduce costs, but also to ensure that those who deserve it really have access to the fees."

Former Rangers forward Glasgow and Hull City led Gabon for four Nations Cup qualifiers after posting two victories over South Sudan – lost at home, lost to Mali at home and in Burundi.